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Abstract:

An information processing system includes a plurality of managed devices;
and a device managing apparatus configured to serve as a master and
manage the managed devices. The device managing apparatus includes a
receiving unit configured to receive a request for batch configuration to
be performed on the managed devices from an external apparatus; and a
control unit configured to delegate a batch configuration process to be
performed on the managed devices to a managed device serving as a slave
when the receiving unit receives the request for batch configuration.

Claims:

1. An information processing system comprising: a plurality of managed
devices; and a device managing apparatus configured to serve as a master
and manage the managed devices, the device managing apparatus including a
receiving unit configured to receive a request for batch configuration to
be performed on the managed devices from an external apparatus; and a
control unit configured to delegate a batch configuration process to be
performed on the managed devices to a managed device serving as a slave
when the receiving unit receives the request for batch configuration.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit sequentially delegates the batch configuration process to
the managed devices serving as slaves without waiting for a result of the
batch configuration process from each of the managed devices serving as
the slaves.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the
managed device serving as the slave sequentially sends the request for
batch configuration to the managed devices to be configured without
waiting for a result of a setting process from each of the managed
devices to be configured.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the
device managing apparatus further includes a managing unit configured to
manage device information on each of the managed devices, wherein when
the receiving unit receives the request for batch configuration, the
control unit determines whether there is a managed device in which a
system for performing batch configuration is deployed among the managed
devices based on the device information, and when determining that there
are a plurality of managed devices in which the system is deployed,
searches for a managed device having predetermined processing performance
or greater from the determined managed devices based on the device
information and delegates the batch configuration process to the managed
device obtained as a result of search.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the
control unit searches for a managed device having predetermined
processing performance or grater while excluding a managed device that is
prohibited to perform batch configuration process.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the
device managing apparatus further includes a managing unit configured to
manage device information on each of the managed devices, wherein when
the receiving unit receives the request for batch configuration, the
control unit determines whether there is a managed device in which a
system for performing batch configuration on the managed devices based on
the device information, and when determining that there is no managed
device in which the system is deployed, searches for a managed device
having predetermined processing performance or greater based on the
device information, deploys the system to the managed device obtained as
a result of search, and delegates the batch configuration process to the
managed device in which the system is deployed.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the
device managing apparatus further includes an undeployment unit
configured to undeploy the system that has been deployed in the managed
device when the managed device to which the batch configuration process
is delegated completes the batch configuration process.

8. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the
control unit searches for a managed device having predetermined
processing performance or grater while excluding a managed device that is
prohibited to perform batch configuration process.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the
device managing apparatus further includes an acquiring unit configured
to acquire a setting result from the managed device to which the batch
configuration process is delegated.

10. A managing apparatus for managing a plurality of managed devices, the
managing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a
request for batch configuration to be performed on the managed devices
from an external apparatus; and a control unit configured to delegate a
batch configuration process to be performed on the managed devices to a
managed device serving as a slave when the receiving unit receives the
request for batch configuration.

11. The managing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control
unit sequentially delegates the batch configuration process to the
managed devices serving as slaves without waiting for a result of the
batch configuration process from each of the managed devices serving as
the slave.

12. The managing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a
managing unit configured to manage device information on each of the
managed devices, wherein when the receiving unit receives the request for
batch configuration, the control unit determines whether there is a
managed device in which a system for performing batch configuration is
deployed among the managed devices based on the device information, and
when determining that there is a plurality of managed devices in which
the system is deployed, searches for a managed device having
predetermined processing performance or greater based on the device
information and delegates the batch configuration process to the managed
device obtained as a result of search.

13. The managing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control
unit searches for a managed device having predetermined processing
performance or greater while excluding a managed device that is
prohibited to perform the batch configuration process.

14. The managing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a
managing unit configured to manage device information on each of the
managed devices, wherein when the receiving unit receives the request for
batch configuration, the control unit determines whether there is a
managed device in which a system for performing batch configuration is
deployed among the managed devices based on the device information, and
when determining that there is no managed device in which the system is
deployed, searches for a managed device having predetermined processing
performance or greater based on the device information, deploys the
system in the managed device obtained as a result of search, and
delegates the batch configuration process to the managed device in which
the system is deployed.

15. The managing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising an
undeployment unit configured to undeploy the system that has been
deployed in the managed device when the managed device to which the batch
configuration process is delegated completes the batch configuration
process.

16. The managing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control
unit searches for a managed device having predetermined processing
performance or greater while excluding a managed device that is
prohibited to perform the batch configuration process.

17. The managing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an
acquiring unit configured to acquire a setting result from the managed
device to which the batch configuration process is delegated.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable
program stored thereon and performed in a processor of a managing
apparatus for managing a plurality of managed devices, wherein the
program instructs the processor to perform: receiving a request for batch
configuration to be performed on the managed devices from an external
apparatus; and delegating a batch configuration process to be performed
on the managed devices to a managed device serving as a slave when the
request is received at the receiving.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to and incorporates by
reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-177918 filed in Japan on Aug. 16, 2011 and Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-151635 filed in Japan on Jul. 5, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an information processing system,
a managing apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventionally, an information processing system is known, in which
a device managing apparatus performs batch configuration in accordance
with predetermined setting contents (for example, a setting value group
containing a plurality of setting items and values) on a plurality of
managed devices (for example, network devices, such as printers,
multifunction peripherals (MFPs), projectors, or server computers)
connected to the device managing apparatus via a network.

[0006] The information processing system of this type allows a user to
remotely configure a plurality of managed devices over the network
without requiring the user to show up at the site of the managed devices.

[0007] However, in the information processing system described above,
configuration processes between the device managing apparatus and the
managed devices are performed synchronously; therefore, the device
managing apparatus has to wait without starting a next process until the
setting processes on the managed devices are completed. Therefore, the
whole processing time of batch configuration increases in proportion to
the number of the managed devices or the number of setting items.

[0008] Furthermore, to configure a plurality of devices more easily, there
is a conventional technology (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No. 2000-206835), in which a device serving as a master transmits user
codes that are input via an operation panel to devices serving as slaves
so that the user codes of the devices serving as the slaves can be set in
bulk.

[0009] However, even in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. 2000-206835, configuration processes between
the device serving as a master (a master device) and the devices serving
as slaves (slave devices) are performed synchronously; therefore, the
master device has to wait without starting a next process until the
configuration processes on the slave devices are completed. Therefore,
the whole processing time of batch configuration increases in proportion
to the number of slave devices or the number of setting items.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to provide an information processing
system, a managing apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium
capable of reducing the whole processing time of batch configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially
solve the problems in the conventional technology.

[0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided an information
processing system that includes a plurality of managed devices; and a
device managing apparatus configured to serve as a master and manage the
managed devices. The device managing apparatus includes a receiving unit
configured to receive a request for batch configuration to be performed
on the managed devices from an external apparatus; and a control unit
configured to delegate a batch configuration process to be performed on
the managed devices to a managed device serving as a slave when the
receiving unit receives the request for batch configuration.

[0013] According to another embodiment, there is provided a managing
apparatus for managing a plurality of managed devices. The managing
apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a request for
batch configuration to be performed on the managed devices from an
external apparatus; and a control unit configured to delegate a batch
configuration process to be performed on the managed devices to a managed
device serving as a slave when the receiving unit receives the request
for batch configuration.

[0014] According to still another embodiment, there is provided a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable
program stored thereon and performed in a processor of a managing
apparatus for managing a plurality of managed devices. The program
instructs the processor to perform receiving a request for batch
configuration to be performed on the managed devices from an external
apparatus; and delegating a batch configuration process to be performed
on the managed devices to a managed device serving as a slave when the
request is received at the receiving.

[0015] The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and
industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by
reading the following detailed description of presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of an
information processing system according to an embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of a control
system of each of a device managing apparatus and an administrator client
terminal;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of a managed
device (a multifunction peripheral);

[0019]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functional configurations of the
device managing apparatus and the managed device;

[0020] FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining an example of device
information;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a process
performed by the device managing apparatus when the device managing
apparatus receives a request for batch configuration from the
administrator client terminal;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a batch
configuration request screen;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process performed
by a setting processing unit for determining a managed device (a sub
system) to which a batch configuration process is delegated; and

[0024]FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a process
performed by a sub system when the sub system receives a delegation
request for delegation of the batch configuration process from the device
managing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in
detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a
configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an
embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a
block diagram of an overall configuration of the information processing
system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1
includes a device managing apparatus (master) 2, a plurality of managed
devices 3 (three managed devices in the example in FIG. 1), and an
administrator client terminal 4, which are communicably connected to one
another via a local area network (LAN).

[0027] In the information processing system 1, a sub system (slave) 31 can
be deployed and undeployed in any of the managed device 3 to perform
batch configuration on the managed devices 3 (to perform configuration on
all the managed devices 3 specified by a system administrator in
accordance with predetermined setting contents (a setting value group
containing a plurality of setting items and values)), based on a
delegation request for delegation of a batch configuration process issued
by the device managing apparatus (master) 2. The sub system 31 is formed
by, for example, software or components. Here, "deployment" means that
the sub system 31 is enabled and "undeployment" means that the sub system
31 is disabled.

[0028] The device managing apparatus (master) 2 is a device that manages
the managed devices 3 via a network N, and is realized by, for example, a
server device. The device managing apparatus 2 delegates the batch
configuration process mentioned above to the sub system (slave) 31
deployed in the managed device 3.

[0029] The managed devices 3 are devices managed by the device managing
apparatus 2, and are realized by, for example, multifunction peripherals
(MFPs). The managed device 3 in which the sub system (slave) 31 is
deployed receives a delegation request for delegation of the batch
configuration process from the device managing apparatus (master) 2, and
issues a request for configuration with the above setting contents to the
managed devices 3.

[0030] The administrator client terminal 4 is a client terminal used by a
system administrator of the information processing system 1, and is
realized by a personal computer (PC) or the like. In the administrator
client terminal 4, a user interface (UI) screen (a Web page etc.)
provided by the device managing apparatus 2 via the network N is
viewable. The administrator client terminal 4 is used by the system
administrator for selecting the managed device 3 that performs batch
configuration from among the managed devices 3 or for inputting a setting
value.

[0031] Hardware configurations of the device managing apparatus 2, the
managed device 3, and the administrator client terminal 4 included in the
information processing system 1 will be explained below with reference to
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a
control system of each of the device managing apparatus 2 and the
administrator client terminal 4.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the device managing apparatus 2
and the administrator client terminal 4 has a hardware configuration
using a general computer, such as a PC. Each of the device managing
apparatus 2 and the administrator client terminal 4 includes, for
example, a control unit 21, a communication interface (I/F) 22, and an
input/output (I/O) device control unit 23, which are connected to one
another via a bus B1.

[0034] The control unit 21 includes, for example, a central processing
unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or
the like.

[0035] The control unit 21 is connected to an operating device (for
example, a keyboard or a mouse) 24, a display device (for example, a
liquid crystal display) 25, an external storage device (for example, a
hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD)) 26, and an external
interface 27 (hereinafter, referred to as the "external I/F 27") via the
bus B1 and the I/O device control unit 23.

[0036] Specifically, the control unit 21 causes the CPU to load a control
program stored in the ROM or the external storage device 26 onto the RAM
and execute the control program to thereby control operations of the
connected devices via the I/O device control unit 23. The control unit 21
also controls operations of transmitting and receiving various types of
data to and from other connected devices via the communication I/F 22 and
the network N.

[0037] The external I/F 27 is an interface for performing read and write
operations on a recording medium, such as a digital versatile disk (DVD)
or a compact disk (CD). It may be possible to store the control program
in the recording medium, such as a DVD or a CD, and cause the CPU of the
control unit 21 to read the control program from the recording medium,
such as a DVD or a CD, via the I/O device control unit 23 and the
external I/F 27, load the control program onto the RAM, and execute the
control program.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the
managed device (MFP) 3.

[0040] The controller 30 controls the entire managed device 3.
Specifically, the controller 30 controls various processes, such as an
image drawing process, a communication process, or an operation input and
display process on the operation display unit 32.

[0042] The CPU 301 is an integrated circuit (IC) for executing various
types of information processing. The CPU 301 executes an application and
a platform in parallel in units of processes by using an operating system
(OS), such as a UNIX (registered trademark).

[0043] The ASIC 302 is an IC used for image processing. The NB 303 is a
bridge for connecting the CPU 301 and the ASIC 302. The SB 304 is a
bridge for connecting the NB 303 and peripheral devices. The ASIC 302 and
the NB 303 are connected to each other via an accelerated graphics port
(AGP).

[0044] The MEM-P 305 is a memory connected to the NB 303. The MEM-C 306 is
a memory connected to the ASIC 302. The HDD 307 is a storage connected to
the ASIC 302 and is used for storing image data, document data, programs,
font data, form data, or the like. The memory card slot 308 is a slot
connected to the SB 304 and is used for setting (inserting) a memory card
313.

[0045] The NIC 309 is a controller for performing data communication using
a media access control (MAC) address via the network N. The USB interface
310 is an interface for providing a serial port compliant with the USB
standard. The IEEE 1394 interface 311 is an interface for providing a
serial port compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics
interface 312 is an interface for providing a parallel port compliant
with the Centronics specifications.

[0046] The NIC 309, the USB interface 310, the IEEE 1394 interface 311,
and the Centronics interface 312 are connected to the NB 303 and the SB
304 via a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0047] The operation display unit 32 is a user interface for displaying an
operating method for using various functions of the managed device 3 and
for receiving input of operations from a user. The operation display unit
32 is connected to the ASIC 302.

[0048] The FCU 33 is a unit that controls a facsimile communication based
on the facsimile group 3 (G3) standard or the like.

[0049] The image reading unit 34 is a unit that reads an image. For
example, the image reading unit 34 is configured as a scanner and reads
an image of a document set on a platen.

[0050] The image forming unit 35 is a unit that forms an image on a
storage medium based on image data read by the image reading unit 34. For
example, the image forming unit 35 employs an electrophotographic system.

[0051] The FCU 33, the image reading unit 34, and the image forming unit
35 are connected to the ASIC 302 via a PCI bus.

[0052] Functional configurations of the device managing apparatus 2 and
the managed device 3 will be explained below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0053]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the functional configurations of the
device managing apparatus 2 and the managed device 3.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU of the device managing apparatus
2 loads a predetermined control program stored in the ROM or the external
storage device 26 onto the RAM and executes the control program, thereby
functioning as a setting receiving unit 20a, a setting processing unit
20b, a setting transmitting unit 20c, a setting result collecting unit
20d, a device information managing unit 20e, a setting result managing
unit 20f, a remote installation unit 20g, and a display processing unit
20h for executing process sequences illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 to
be described later.

[0055] The display processing unit 20h performs a process for displaying
various screens on the display device 25 of the device managing apparatus
2 and a process for transmitting a batch configuration request screen to
the administrator client terminal 4 via the communication I/F 22 to
display the batch configuration request screen on the display device 25
of the administrator client terminal 4. Details of the batch
configuration request screen will be described later.

[0056] The setting receiving unit 20a receives a request for batch
configuration specified on the batch configuration request screen from
the administrator client terminal 4 via the communication I/F 22. The
request for batch configuration contains a setting value group containing
a plurality of setting items and values; identification information
(device ID) of one or more of the managed devices 3 on which the
configuration is to be performed; or the like.

[0057] The setting processing unit 20b executes various processes related
to batch configuration. For example, the setting processing unit 20b
performs a process for determining the managed device 3 to which a batch
configuration process is delegated, and delegates the batch configuration
process to the managed device 3 determined by the process.

[0058] Specifically, when the request for batch configuration received by
the setting receiving unit 20a contains designation of the managed device
3 (the sub system 31) to which the batch configuration process is
delegated, the setting processing unit 20b determines the designated
managed device 3 (the sub system 31) as the managed device 3 to which the
batch configuration process is delegated.

[0059] On the other hand, when the request for batch configuration
received by the setting receiving unit 20a does not contain designation
of the managed device 3 (the sub system 31) to which the batch
configuration process is delegated, the setting processing unit 20b
determines the managed device 3 in which the sub system 31 is deployed
and which has high processing performance based on device information
managed by the device information managing unit 20e to be described
later, as the managed device 3 to which the batch configuration process
is delegated.

[0060] The setting transmitting unit 20c transmits a delegation request
for delegation of the batch configuration process to the managed device 3
(the sub system 31) determined by the setting processing unit 20b. The
delegation request contains the setting value group described above,
identification information on each of the managed devices 3 on which the
batch configuration is to be performed by the sub system (slave) 31.

[0061] The setting result collecting unit 20d acquires a setting result of
the batch configuration process from the sub system (slave) 31 deployed
in the managed device 3 that performs the batch configuration process on
behalf of the device managing apparatus 2 serving as a master. The
setting result contains the identification information on the managed
devices 3 on which the configuration has been performed, a setting result
(success or failure) for each of the setting items, or a reason for
failure when the configuration has failed.

[0062] The device information managing unit 20e manages the device
information on each of the managed devices 3 managed by the device
managing apparatus 2. FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining an
example of the device information. The device information contains a
device database (hereinafter, described as the "device DB") illustrated
in FIG. 5A, a group database (hereinafter, described as the "group DB")
illustrated in FIG. 5B, and a group allocation database (hereinafter,
described as the "group allocation DB") illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0063] The device DB is a database in which the device information on each
of the managed devices 3 is registered. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, in the
device information, a device ID for identifying the managed device 3, a
display name of the managed device 3, an IP address needed for a
communication, deployment information, delegation information, a model
name, a clock rate of the CPU, a memory capacity of a mounted memory,
system status, and printer status are registered in an associated manner.

[0064] The deployment information indicates a deployed state or an
undeployed state of the sub system (slave) 31 in each of the managed
devices 3. When the deployment information is "true", it is indicated
that the sub system 31 is deployed in the managed device 3. When the
deployment information is "false", it is indicated that the sub system 31
is undeployed in the managed device 3.

[0065] The delegation information indicates whether or not the batch
configuration process is delegated to a sub system of the managed device.
When the delegation information is "true", it is indicated that the batch
configuration process is delegated to the sub system. When the delegation
information is "false", it is indicated that the batch configuration
process is not delegated to the sub system.

[0066] The model name, the clock rate of the CPU, and the memory capacity
of the mounted memory are information indicating the specifications of
the managed device 3 (that is, information by which the setting
processing unit 20b determines the processing performance of the managed
device 3). The system status indicates operating status of the managed
device 3. For example, the system status indicates error status or the
like. The printer status indicates status of a printer function of the
managed device 3. For example, the printer status indicates error status,
printing status, wait status, unsupported status, or the like.

[0067] As the device ID, an MAC address or a serial number may be used
instead of the simple number illustrated in FIG. 5A. It may be possible
to register authentication information in addition to the IP address in
the device DB as the information needed for a communication.

[0068] The group DB is a database in which information on each of groups
is registered. The group means a classification of the managed devices 3
based on the IP addresses. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, in the group DB, a
group ID for identifying a group and a group name are registered in an
associated manner. In the embodiment, the group name is represented by
the first 24 bits of the IP addresses.

[0069] The group allocation DB is a database in which a group allocated to
the managed device 3 is registered. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, in the
group allocation DB, the device ID of each of the managed devices 3 and a
group ID allocated to the device ID are registered in an associated
manner.

[0070] Referring back to FIG. 4, the setting result managing unit 20f
acquires the setting result collected by the setting result collecting
unit 20d via the setting processing unit 20b and stores therein the
setting result.

[0071] The remote installation unit 20g issues a request for deployment or
undeployment of the sub system (slave) 31 to the managed device 3 under
the control of the setting processing unit 20b.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 301 of the managed device 3 loads
a predetermined control program stored in the HDD 307 or the like onto a
memory (the MEM-P 305 etc.) and executes the control program, thereby
functioning as a setting receiving unit 30a, a setting processing unit
30b, a setting transmitting unit 30c, a setting result transmitting unit
30d, and a remote installation receiving unit 30e for executing the
process sequence illustrated in FIG. 8 to be described later. Among the
above functional units, the setting receiving unit 30a, the setting
processing unit 30b, the setting transmitting unit 30c, and the setting
result transmitting unit 30d are realized by the sub system (slave) 31.

[0074] When the setting receiving unit 30a receives the delegation
request, the setting processing unit 30b performs various processes
related to the batch configuration. Specifically, the setting processing
unit 30b requests a plurality of the managed devices 3 designated in the
delegation request to perform configuration with the above setting
contents.

[0075] The setting transmitting unit 30c sends a request for configuration
with the above setting contents to each of the managed devices 3
designated in the delegation request based on a transmission request from
the setting processing unit 30b, receives a setting result (including the
identification information on the managed device 3 that has performed the
configuration, a setting result (success or failure) for each of the
setting items, a reason for failure when the configuration has failed, or
the like) from each of the managed devices 3 to which the request for
configuration has been sent, and outputs the setting results to the
setting result transmitting unit 30d described below.

[0076] The setting result transmitting unit 30d transmits the setting
results received from the setting transmitting unit 30c to the device
managing apparatus (master) 2 that has delegated the batch configuration
process.

[0077] The remote installation receiving unit 30e receives a request for
deployment or undeployment of the sub system (slave) 31 and deploys or
undeploys the sub system (slave) 31 to which the request for deployment
or undeployment has been sent.

[0078] Process operations performed by the information processing system 1
will be explained below with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a process
performed by the device managing apparatus (master) 2 when the device
managing apparatus (master) 2 receives the request for batch
configuration from the administrator client terminal 4.

[0080] The display processing unit 20h of the device managing apparatus
(master) 2 displays the batch configuration request screen on the display
device 25 of the administrator client terminal 4. As illustrated in FIG.
6, in the sequence, when a system administrator inputs a request for
batch configuration through the batch configuration request screen
displayed on the display device 25 by using the operating device 24 of
the administrator client terminal 4 (Step S101), the setting receiving
unit 20a receives the request for batch configuration and sends the
request for batch configuration to the setting processing unit 20b (Step
S102).

[0081]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the batch
configuration request screen displayed on the display device 25. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the batch configuration request screen contains a
group selection area 701, a device selection field 702, and a device
information display area 703.

[0082] The system administrator can specify a desired group from among
groups represented by the upper 24 bits of the IP addresses displayed in
the group selection area 701. In the example in FIG. 7, a group with a
group name of "133.nnn.172" is specified.

[0083] When the group is specified, the setting receiving unit 20a of the
device managing apparatus (master) 2 receives the group ID of the
specified group, and the setting processing unit 20b acquires device IDs
associated with the specified group ID in the group allocation DB of the
device information.

[0084] The display processing unit 20h of the device managing apparatus 2
transmits the display names associated with the acquired device IDs in
the device DB of the device information to the administrator client
terminal 4. Consequently, a list of the managed devices 3 belonging to
the specified group is displayed in the device selection area 702 of the
batch configuration request screen displayed on the display device 25 of
the administrator client terminal 4.

[0085] The system administrator is allowed to select the managed device 3
that handles the request for batch configuration from the list of the
managed devices 3 displayed in the device selection area 702. The system
administrator is allowed not to select the managed device 3 that handles
the request for batch configuration from the list of the managed devices
3. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the managed device 3 with the
display name of "XXX" is selected in the list of the managed devices 3.

[0086] The device ID of the selected managed device 3 and the group ID of
the specified group in the group DB are transmitted, as the information
on the managed device 3 to which the batch configuration process is
delegated, to the setting processing unit 20b of the device managing
apparatus 2. When the managed device 3 that handles the request for batch
configuration is not selected from the list of the managed devices 3,
only the group ID is transmitted to the setting processing unit 20b of
the device managing apparatus 2.

[0087] In the device information display area 703, contents of the device
DB of the device information on the managed device 3 selected in the
device selection area 702 are displayed. When the managed device 3 is not
selected in the device selection area 702, nothing is displayed in the
device information display area 703.

[0088] Referring back to FIG. 6, the setting processing unit 20b that has
received the request performs a process for determining the managed
device 3 (that is, the sub system (slave) 31) to which the batch
configuration process is delegated (see FIG. 8) (Step S103).

[0089]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process performed
by the setting processing unit 20b for determining the managed device 3
(the sub system 31) to which the batch configuration process is
delegated.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the setting processing unit 20b
determines whether the sub system 31 to which the batch configuration
process is delegated is specified or not, based on the information (the
device ID and the group ID) contained in the received request for batch
configuration (Step S201). Specifically, the setting processing unit 20b
determines whether the delegation information associated with the device
ID specified in the request for batch configuration is "true" in the
device DB of the device information.

[0091] At the above determination, when determining that the managed
device (i.e., the sub system 31) to which the batch configuration process
is delegated is specified (YES at Step S201), in other words, when the
delegation information associated with the specified device ID is "true",
the setting processing unit 20b determines the managed device 3 (i.e.,
the sub system 31) corresponding to the specified device ID as the sub
system 31 to which the batch configuration process is delegated (Step
S202).

[0092] On the other hand, at the determination at Step S201, when
determining that the managed device 3 (i.e., the sub system 31) to which
the batch configuration process is delegated is not specified (NO at Step
S201), in other words, when the delegation information associated with
the specified device ID is "false" or when the request for batch
configuration only contains the group ID and does not contain the device
ID, the setting processing unit 20b determines whether the managed device
3 in which the sub system 31 is deployed is present in the group
corresponding to the specified group ID, based on the device IDs of one
or more of the managed devices 3 associated with the group ID contained
in the received request for batch configuration and based on the device
information (the device DB and the group DB) acquired from the device
information managing unit 20e (Step S203).

[0093] Specifically, the setting processing unit 20b specifies the managed
devices 3 with the device IDs allocated to the group ID contained
(specified) in the request for batch configuration by referring to the
group allocation DB of the device information. Subsequently, the setting
processing unit 20b determines whether the deployment information
associated with the device ID is "true" or not for each of the device IDs
of the specified managed devices 3 by referring to the device DB of the
device information.

[0094] At the determination at Step S203, when it is determined that the
managed device 3 in which the sub system 31 is deployed is present in
each of corresponding groups (YES at Step S203) (in other words, when
there is a managed device with the device ID associated with the
deployment information of "true"), and when it is also determined that
one or more of (i.e., a plurality of) the sub systems 31 are present in
each of the groups, the setting processing unit 20b determines the
managed device 3 that has the highest processing performance in each of
the groups based on the model name, the clock rate, or the memory
capacity recorded in the device DB of the device information acquired
from the device information managing unit 20e, searches for the sub
system 31 deployed in the determined managed device 3, and determines the
sub system 31 obtained as the search result, as the sub system 31 to
which the batch configuration process is delegated (Step S204).

[0095] Specifically, the setting processing unit 20b determines that the
managed device 3 corresponding to the device ID associated with the
maximum clock rate or the maximum memory capacity in the device DB has
the highest processing performance. Alternatively, the setting processing
unit 20b determines that the managed device 3 corresponding to the device
ID associated with the model name that is registered in advance as the
name of a model having high processing performance in the device DB has
the highest processing performance.

[0096] In the embodiment, the setting processing unit 20b determines the
managed device 3 having the highest processing performance. However, it
may be possible to configure the setting processing unit 20b so as to
determine the managed device 3 having predetermined processing
performance or greater. For example, it may be possible to configure the
setting processing unit 20b so as to determine that the managed device 3
having the clock rate or the memory capacity greater than a predetermined
clock rate or a predetermined memory capacity has the predetermined
processing performance or greater.

[0097] On the other hand, at the determination at Step S203 described
above, when it is determined that there is no managed device 3 in which
the sub system 31 is deployed in each of the groups (NO at Step S203), in
other words, when there is no managed device with the device ID
associated with the deployment information of "true", the setting
processing unit 20b determines the managed device 3 having the highest
processing performance for each of the groups in the above-described
manner, based on the model name, the clock rate, or the memory capacity
in the device DB of the device information acquired from the device
information managing unit 20e, and deploys the sub system 31 in the
determined managed device 3. Specifically, under the control of the
setting processing unit 20b, the remote installation unit 20g sends a
request for deployment of the sub system 31 to the corresponding managed
device 3. Accordingly, the managed device 3 that has received the request
deploys the sub system 31 (Step S205).

[0098] In the embodiment, the setting processing unit 20b determines the
managed device 3 having the highest processing performance. However, it
may be possible to configure the setting processing unit 20b so as to
determine the managed device 3 having predetermined processing
performance or greater. For example, it may be possible to configure the
setting processing unit 20b so as to determine that the managed device 3
having the clock rate or the memory capacity greater than a predetermined
clock rate or a predetermined memory capacity has the predetermined
processing performance or greater.

[0099] To reduce a processing time of a deployment process for the sub
system 31, it is preferable to maintain the sub system 31 in each of the
managed devices 3 in an undeployed state; however, the present invention
is not limited to this. It may be possible not to maintain the sub system
31 in each of the managed device 3. In this case, however, when the
request for deployment of the sub system 31 is issued at Step S205 in
FIG. 8, and if a target managed device 3 does not have the sub system 31,
the remote installation unit 20g transmits the sub system 31 to the
target managed device 3 under the control of the setting processing unit
20b.

[0100] In the processes at Step S204 and Step S205, the setting processing
unit 20b excludes the managed device 3, to which delegation of the batch
configuration process is prohibited in advance (the sub system 31 to be
deployed in the managed device 3), from candidates to which the batch
configuration process is to be delegated. Therefore, for example, the
batch configuration process is not delegated to the managed device 3 in
which it is not desirable to delegate the batch configuration process
because the managed device 3 is used for other purposes.

[0101] Thereafter, the setting processing unit 20b determines the sub
system 31 deployed by the process at Step S205 as the sub system 31 to
which the batch configuration process is delegated (Step S206).

[0102] Referring back to FIG. 6, when the sub system 31 to which the batch
configuration process is delegated is determined by the process at Step
S103, the setting processing unit 20b delegates the batch configuration
process to be performed on the managed devices 3 in the same group to one
or more of the determined sub systems 31 via the setting transmitting
unit 20c (Step S104).

[0103] Specifically, in the process at Step S104, the setting processing
unit 20b transmits setting information, which contains the device ID for
identifying the managed device 3 (the sub system 31) to which the batch
configuration process is delegated, the device IDs of the managed devices
3 to be configured by the sub system 31, and setting contents (the
setting value group containing a plurality of setting items and values,
or the like), to the setting transmitting unit 20c. Accordingly, the
setting transmitting unit 20c sends the delegation request for delegation
of the batch configuration process to the corresponding managed device 3
(the sub system 31). The delegation request described above contains
setting information with the same contents as those of the setting
information described above.

[0104] In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, at Step S104 described
above, the setting processing unit 20b sequentially delegates the batch
configuration process to a plurality of the managed devices 3 without
waiting for a process result. With this structure, it becomes possible to
reduce a processing time of a process for delegating the batch
configuration process compared with a system in which the batch
configuration process is delegated to a second managed device 3 after
receiving a process result from a first managed device 3 to which the
batch configuration process has been delegated. Furthermore, with the
above structure, it becomes possible to reduce processing load on the
device managing apparatus 2 serving as a master.

[0105] At Step S104 described above, after the request for the batch
configuration process is sent to all the managed devices 3 (the sub
systems 31), or in a thread different from the delegation request
described above, the setting processing unit 20b acquires a result of the
batch configuration process from each of the managed devices 3 (the sub
systems 31) to which the batch configuration process is delegated (Step
S105).

[0106] Specifically, in the process at Step S105, the setting processing
unit 20b sends a request for collecting a result of the batch
configuration process to the setting result collecting unit 20d.
Accordingly, the setting result collecting unit 20d acquires a process
result from each of the managed devices 3 (the sub systems 31) to which
the batch configuration process is delegated, and sends the acquired
process results to the setting processing unit 20b.

[0107] Thereafter, the setting processing unit 20b stores the process
results acquired via the setting result collecting unit 20d in the
setting result managing unit 20f (Step S106). Specifically, in the
process at Step S106, the setting processing unit 20b sends the acquired
process results to the setting result managing unit 20f. Subsequently,
the setting result managing unit 20f stores the received process results
in a storage unit, such as the external storage device 26.

[0108] Meanwhile, the sub system 31 is not needed except for when it is
used for the batch configuration, and need not be always deployed.
Therefore, when each of the managed devices 3 (the sub systems 31) to
which the batch configuration process is delegated completes the batch
configuration process, it is preferable to cause the setting processing
unit 20b to undeploy the sub system 31 that has been deployed in each of
the managed devices 3 to which the batch configuration process is
delegated. Specifically, when the batch configuration process described
above is completed, the remote installation unit 20g sends a request for
undeployment of the sub system 31 to the corresponding managed device 3
and the managed device 3 that has received the request undeploys the sub
system 31 under the control of the setting processing unit 20b. With this
structure, it becomes possible to reduce load on the managed device 3 at
a normal time (when the batch configuration process is not performed).

[0109]FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a process
performed by the sub system (slave) 31 when the sub system (slave) 31
receives the delegation request for delegation of the batch configuration
process from the device managing apparatus (master) 2.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the sequence, the setting receiving
unit 30a receives the delegation request for delegation of the batch
configuration process from the device managing apparatus (master) 2 (Step
S301), and sends a request for the batch configuration process to the
setting processing unit 30b (Step S302).

[0111] The setting processing unit 30b receives the request and then sends
a request for configuration with the above setting contents to each of
the managed devices (configuration target devices) 3 designated in the
delegation request via the setting transmitting unit 30c (Step S303).

[0112] Specifically, in the process at Step S303, the setting processing
unit 30b sends, to the setting transmitting unit 30c, setting information
containing identification information for identifying each of the managed
devices 3 for which the configuration with the setting contents is
requested and the setting contents (the setting value group containing a
plurality of setting items and values) of the configuration performed on
each of the managed devices 3. Subsequently, the setting transmitting
unit 30c sends a request for the configuration with the setting contents
to each of the corresponding managed devices 3. In the process at Step
S303, when the managed device 3 (the sub system 31) that has received the
delegation request for delegation of the batch configuration process is
the configuration target device, the request for the configuration is
sent to own device. The configuration target device may be the managed
device 3 in which the sub system 31 is deployed.

[0113] At Step S303, the setting processing unit 30b acquires a setting
result (the identification information of the target managed device 3, a
setting result on the setting items (success or failure), or a reason for
failure when the configuration has failed) from each of the managed
devices 3, and sends the acquired setting result to the setting result
transmitting unit 30d.

[0114] Thereafter, when receiving a request for acquisition of the setting
result from the setting processing unit 20b of the device managing
apparatus 2 serving as a master, the setting result transmitting unit 30d
transmits the stored setting result to the device managing apparatus 2
(Step S304). As a result, the setting result collecting unit 20d of the
device managing apparatus 2 acquires the setting result.

[0115] Specifically, in the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, at Step
S303 described above, the setting processing unit 30b of the managed
device 3 that has received the request for the batch configuration
process sequentially sends a request for configuration with the setting
contents to the managed devices 3 being the configuration target devices
without waiting for process results (setting results) from the managed
devices (configuration target devices) 3 for which the configuration with
the setting contents has been requested. With this structure, it becomes
possible to reduce a processing time for the batch configuration process
compared with a system in which a request for configuration with the
setting contents is sent to a second managed device 3 after a process
result form a first managed device to which a request for the
configuration with the setting contents has been sent.

[0116] In the embodiment described above, at Step S104 in FIG. 6, a case
is explained in which the setting processing unit 20b of the device
managing apparatus 2 delegates the batch configuration process to a
plurality of the managed devices 3 (the sub systems 31); however, the
present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a
case in which a longer time is needed to transmit the delegation request
depending on the setting contents. Therefore, it may be possible to
specify only a trigger for instant acquisition or a time for acquisition
in the sub system 31 at Step S104 to cause the sub system 31 to acquire
the delegation request.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, at Step S105 in FIG. 6, a
case is explained in which the setting processing unit 20b of the device
managing apparatus 2 requests each of the managed devices 3 (the sub
systems 31) to which the batch configuration process is delegated to send
a result of the batch configuration process; however, the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a case that a
process in the sub system 31 is not completed or the sub system 31 cannot
return a response. Therefore, it may be possible to cause the sub system
31 to transmit the process result after the process in the sub system 31
is completed.

[0118] Moreover, in the above embodiment, at Steps S204 and S205 in FIG.
8, the managed device 3 having the highest processing performance is
selected to deploy the sub system or the sub system deployed in the
managed device 3 is determined as the sub system to which the batch
configuration process is delegated. However, it may be possible to
configure the setting processing unit 20b so as to exclude the managed
device 3 whose system status indicates error or whose printer status
indicates that printing is in operation, by referring to the system
status or the printer status associated with the device ID of the managed
device 3 selected as having the highest processing performance in the
device DB of the device information. Alternatively, when the printer
status indicates the wait state, the setting processing unit 20b may
select this managed device 3 with priority.

[0119] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the managed devices 3 are grouped
based on the IP addresses. However, it may be possible to classify the
managed devices 3 based on segments instead of the groups and perform the
same process as the process performed on the group. The segment means a
predetermined section set by the system administrator etc. in advance.
Examples of the segment include a section for classifying the managed
devices 3 according to installed locations (for example, by a first floor
and a second floor) or the section for classifying the managed devices
according to the functions of the managed devices 3. The section is also
referred to as a segment. In this case, it may be possible to register
information for specifying the segment of each of the managed devices 3
in the device DB of the device information.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is explained in
which the managed device 3 is the MFP. However, the present invention is
not limited to this example. For example, the present invention may be
applied to other network devices, such as printers, projectors, or server
computers.

[0121] The program for executing the process sequences in the embodiment
described above may be provided by being stored in advance in a storage
device, such as a ROM, of each of the devices (the device managing
apparatus 2, the managed device 3, and the administrator client terminal
4). The program described above may be provided by being stored in a
computer-readable recording medium in a computer-installable or a
computer-executable file format. The program described above may be
provided or distributed via a network, such as the Internet.

[0122] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is
possible to reduce the whole processing time of batch configuration.

[0123] Although the invention has been described with respect to specific
embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are
not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all
modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled
in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.